Gold washing and amalgamating machine



4 SheetsSheet 1.

(N0 ModeL) W. N OTLEY. GOLD WASHING AND AMALGAMATING MACHINE. No. 596,415.

Patented Dec. 28,1897.

l/V VENTOR Wm. [Voila A TTORNEYS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

W. NOTLEY. GOLD WASHING AND AMALGAMATING MACHINE. No. 596,415.

, Patented Dec. 28, 1897.

I/VI/ENTOR Wm/No W/T E8856 Zey BY Y/VVK QAN- ATTQRNEYS 0., WASHINGTON. u. c

N0 Model 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

W. NOTLEY. GOLD WASHING AND AMALGAMATING MACHINE. No. 596,415. P

atented Dec. 28,1897. M

7 -A.I.I

NITED STATES;

PATENT OFFICE.

WVILLIAM NOTLEY, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

GOLD WASHING AND AMALGAMATING'MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION. forming part of Letters Patent No. 596,415, dated December 28, 1897.

Application filed March 22, 1897- To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, WILLIAM N OTLEY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gold WVashing and Amalgamating Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improved wet washer for the purpose of saving flake and flour gold or gold that is in very fine particles; and my invention consists in certain features of novelty hereinafter described and claimed.

Figure I represents a side elevation of my improved machine. Fig. II is a front end ele vation thereof. Fig. III is a detail vertical section of the hopper screen and apron through which the material is discharged from which the light particles of gold are obtained. Fig. 1V is a detail side view of my improved balance-wheel. Fig. V is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section of the front end of the machine, taken on line V V, Fig. II, between the pumps and the amalgamator and filterer. Fig. VI is a detail plan view showing the trough-agitating device, a portion being in horizontal section, said section being taken on line VI VI, Fig. V. Fig. VII is a top view of the stirrer-head. Fig. VIII is an enlarged vertical transverse section of the agitatingtrough, taken on line VIII VIII, Fig. I, showing the trough tilted toward the left hand. Fig. IX is an enlarged vertical transverse section of the agitating-trough, taken on line IX IX, Fig. I, showing-the trough tilted toward the right hand. Fig. X is a vertical axial section of my improved amalgamator and filterer, taken on line X X, Fig. II. Fig. XI is a longitudinal section of the reciprocating trough and partof the actuating mechanism. Fig. XII is a detail view, on a larger scale, of a riffle portion thereof.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents the supporting-frame, formed in sections, preferahly of angle-iron,which may be readily taken apart and placed in a knockdown condition for shipping, there being suitable braces 1" 1 to render the frame entirely rigid. The frame 1 is provided with sockets 2, into which fit the standards 3, said standards being suitably Serial No. 628,702. (No model.)

braced, as shown at 3, in connection with the main frame.

4 represents a hopper having cross-rods 5, forming a screen located in the bottom of the hopper.

6 represents a removable apron, being removably secured to the hopper 4 by means of hooks 7, engaging a cross-bar 8 on the hopper, the hooks 7 being pivoted at 9 to the apron 6. The material from which the gold is extracted is thrown upon the hopper, the heavier and coarser particles falling by gravity from the hopper onto the apron 6 and being discharged to one side, the finer particles passing through the screen and falling into a tub 10, said tub being supported by means of the frame 1.

11 represents a chute placed beneath the upper end of the hopper 4, which directs the particles which pass through the upper end of the screen into the tub 10, the hopper and its apron being placed on an incline, so that the particles descend by gravity without other mechanism. The upper end of the longer standards 3, which support the hopper, are provided with a series of holes 12 for receiving means by which the inclination of the hopper may be changed at will. The tub 10 remains stationary upon its supporting-frame 1, and is provided with a mixer or stirrer 13, said stirrer being provided with a head having a horizontal two-part bar 14:, to which are secured the upper ends of a series of stirrer-,

blades 15. The bottom of the tub being conically inclined, as shown at 16, the lower ends of the blades are out on an angle to correspond with the inclination of the bottom of the tub. The stirrer-blades are arranged in two series which operate on different sides of the tub at the same time, there being intervening spaces 17 between the blades, the I blades 011 one side of the tub falling on a circular line between the blades on the opposite side of the tub. Thus each revolution of the stirrer covers the whole surface of the tub.

18 represents a vertical shaft for operating the stirrer, and 19 a sleeve having its lower end connected at 20 with the head of the stirrer and its upper end secured bya set-screw 21 to the upper end of the shaft 18, there being a ring 22 interposed between the sleeve l9 and the shaft 18, thus sealing the space between the sleeve and shaft.

23 represents a tube surrounding the shaft and connected by a collar 24 with the bottom of the tub and extending on a line or flush with the top of the tub, thus effectually preventing any leakage from the tub around the shaft 18.

24 is an annular ring or plate surrounding the shaft for strengthening the bottom of the tub beneath the collar 24.

25 represents a spout leading from the bottom of the tub,through which the washed material descends into an agitating-trough 26, the opening into said spout being regulated as to size by means of a sliding valve 27, operated by a handle 28.

29 represents duplicate pumps operated by cranks 30 from a shaft 31, said shaft also serving to operate the shaft 18, to which the stirrer is connected, by bevel gear-wheels 31 and 18 The shaft 31 may be operated either by a crank 32 or by means of a pulley 33, to which power may be connected.

34 represents a water-supply pipe leading to the pumps, and 35 a pipe or hose for discharging water into the tub 10 at its top. I I have found by experience in treating flake gold that a large amount of the same is wasted on account of its being so light that it floats off at the top of the water when the same is agitated. In order to save this light gold, I provide a combined amalgamator and filter which I will now describe.

Near the top of the tub 10 I place an opening 36, leading into a pipe 37, said pipe conducting the overflow into an upper cylindrical tank 38-, having a central tube 39 extending up into the same, said tube 39 con necting with an inner cylindrical chamber 40, having a central post 41 therein, said post having a series of saucer-shaped disks 42 thereon, said disks being spaced apart and increasing in diameter from top to bottom.

43 represents openings leading from the bottom of the inner chamber into an outer chamber 44, formed by a lower tank 45.

46 represents a cylinder surrounding the wall of the inner chamber 40, said cylinder having thereon a series of saucer-shaped disks 47 similar in construction to the disks 42, said disks also being spaced apart and increasing in diameter from bottom to top.

Beneath the amalgamating device which is described I provide a filter 48, suspended from the upper tank 38 by means of rods 49, having their lower ends hooked into loops 50 on the filter.

51 represents a filling in thefilter, composed of hair or its equivalent.

52 represents the bottom of the filter, removably held in position by means of hooks 53, pivoted to the filter at 54. The float passing off from the tub 10 passes through the pipe 37 into the tank 38 and then passes in the direction shown by arrows into the chamber 40, flowing over the amalgamated disks 42, passing out at the bottom of the chamber 40 and out at the top of the chamber 44,

the float thus coming in contact with the amalgamated disks 47 (said disks always increasing in size in the direction in which the float travels) and then passing down around the tank 45 and into the filter 48.

The top 52 and bottom 52 of the filter being constructed of open-work, so as to permit the water to pass through the moss or other filling in the filter, catches the rusty gold flakes and those that have been too light to be intercepted in their passage by the means before described.

I will now proceed to describe my improved agitating-trough, said trough being supported at its respective ends by means of front and rear frames 55 56 in an inclined position, so that the material passing out from the tub 10 through the spout 25 is assisted by gravity in passing to the lower end of the agitatingtrough.

57 58 represent front and rear metal rings surrounding the agitating -trough 26 and placed near its respective ends. To said rings I journal grooved pulleys 59, resting upon horizontal front and rear frames 60 61, forming a partof the frames 55 56, this support permitting an endwise movement of the agitating-trough 26.

60 represents an eccentric placed on the vertical shaft 18, said eccentric being pivotally connected at 61 to a rod 62, adj ustably connected with a cross-bar 63, the outer end of the rod 62 serving as a guide by passing through an agitating-bar 64, which is connected with the agitating-trough.

65 represents arms pivoted at the outer end of the bar 63 and having hooks or catches 66 on their ends which automatically engage the bar 64. As the eccentric 60 revolves it acts on the rod 62, carrying with it the arms 65, the bar 64, and the agitating-trough. As the eccentric draws the agitating-trough toward the shaft 18 and when it has reached its limit the trough is released by means of elbows 67 on the arms 65, riding up upon a bearing 68.

(See Figs. I and V.) As the eccentric continues to rotate and the arms are pushed toward the agitating-trough they'assume the position shown in Fig. V, at which time the catches 66 again engage the bar 64, the elbows 67 of the arms being of sufficient weight to throw the catches up into position to engage the arm 64. The constant jarring of the trough by pulling it endwise and then releasing it, in connection with the water flowing through the same, causes the lighter material in the trough or the foreign substance mixed with the gold to pass out at the end of the trough, the trough being facilitated in traveling in the opposite direction from that forced by the eccentric by means of springs 69, connected with the spindles 7 0 of, the pulleys 59 and with the arms 55 on the front frames 55, the springs being of sufficient force to give a succession of shocks or jars to the trough when it is released by the catches operated by v the eccentric.

The trough 26 is movably supported within the rings 57 58 by means of side pulleys 71 and bottom pulleys 72, said pulleys being grooved and traveling 011 the inside of the rings. The side pulleys are suitably j ournaled to clips 73, said clips being connected with rods 74, which pass through the sides of the trough and are joined to each other in the center by nuts 75. By regulating the nuts compensation may be had for wear and the pulleys may be readily removed at will by disconnecting the bolts at the center of the trough. Each bottom pulley 72 is journaled to a clip 76, said clip being suitably secured at 77 to the bottom of the trough. The agitating-bar 64 is connected at 78 with the front ring by means of jointed rods 79.

80 represents angle-irons running lengthwise of the trough 26, said angle-irons being secured to square frames 81, surrounding the trough.

82 represents a bevel gear-wheel on the lower end of the shaft 18, and 83 a bevel gear- Wheel meshing therewith on one end of a horizontal shaft 84, the opposite end of the shaft 84 being supported on an intermediate frame 55 and connected to a crank 85.

86 represents a link having its lower end adjustably pivoted at 87 to the crank 85 and its upper end pivoted at 88 to a bracket 89, said bracket being secured to the angle-irons 80. As the shaft 18 is rotated the beveled gears cause the shaft 84 to rotate, turning the crank 85 and operating on the link 86, thus causing the agitating-trough 26 to rock in its bearings, as shown in Figs. VIII and IX, thus agitating or giving a sidewise movement to the material passing through the same, said rocking movement being occasioned at the same time with the endwise movement, which takes place by operation of the eccentric thus thoroughly agitating the material on its passage through the trough. At intervals along the body of the trough 26 I provide transverse openings 90, beneath which are secured cup-shaped riffies 91, through which the material passing through the trough is caused to travel, as shown by arrows in Fig. V. The riffles 91 are silver-coated or amalgamated in order to catch the gold passing through the same, the riffles have flanges 92 and are held in place by bars 93, with which engage set-screws 94, thus thoroughly clamping the riffles to the bottom of the trough and making them removable at will. The bottom 95 of the trough, adjacent to the openings 90, is bent back under strips 96 and the ends clamped by the same device which clamps the flanges on the riffies, thus forming a water-tight connection.

97 represents deflecting-plates extending down into each of the 'riffles 91, said deflecting-plates causing the water and other material passing through the trough to pass down over the riflles. The deflecting-plates are made adjustable by having slots 98 in which engage bolts 99, so that the plates may be raised or lowered and set at any point or angle desired according to the condition of the material passing through the trough. The material passing through the rifiles is kept constantly agitated by means of arms 100, said arms extending down into the riffles on each side of the deflecting-plates 97 and having their upper ends secured at 101 to a rod 102, extending along above the agitatingtrough. The rod 102 is connected with the rings 57 58 by means of brackets 103, the agitators being constantly moved back and forth as the trough is rocked in its bearings.

104 represents an arm secured to the side of the trough or its frame. 105 represents an arm secured at its lower end to the rod 102, said arms 104 and 105 being connected at their tops by means of a cross-arm 106, having pivotal connection therewith, thus, as heretofore stated, causing a rocking movement of the agitators as the trough 26 is rocked.

107 represents a fly-wheel preferably made hollow, having an opening normally closed by a cap 108. By removing the cap the flywheelmay be filled with sand or other weighty material in order to give weight to the same.

109 represents a brace-rod for bracing the bearings in which the shaft 18 is journaled.

110 represents a belt for operating pumps, said belt connecting the shaft 31 with a pulley 110, mounted on a counter-shaft 110 connected by superposed gear-wheels 110 110 with-a crank-shaft 110, carrying the pump-cranks.

The agitating-trough 26 may be given a greater or less inclination by adjusting the bar 61 either up or down on the frame 56.

I claim as my invention 1. A gold washing and amalgamating ma chine comprising a tub, the inclined hopper located over the tub, having a cross-bar located at its lower end and a removable inclined apron having pivoted hooks located at its upper end for engaging the cross-bar of the hopper; substantially as described.

2. A gold washing and amalgamating machine comprising a tub, the inclined hopper located over the tub, having cross-rods forming a screen at the bottom of the hopper, a chute located beneath the screen at the upper end of the hopper, a cross-bar located at the lower end of the hopper, and the removable inclined apron having pivoted hooks located at its upper end for engaging the cross-bar of the hopper; substantially as described.

3. A gold washing and amalgamating machine comprising a tub, having a comicallyinclined bottom and a discharge-spout, an

operating-shaft extending through the tub,

the annular ring surrounding the shaft for strengthening the bottom, the collar surrounding the shaft within the bottom, the tube surrounding the shaft within the collar and extending flush with the bottom and with the top of the tub, the sliding valve control- IIO ling the discharge-spout, the stirrer consisting of a sleeve secured to the upper end of the shaft and surrounding the upper portion of the tube, and a stirrer-head secured to the sleeve, having a two-part bar and series of pendent blades inclined at their lower ends so as to conform to the inclination of the bottom of the tub, and means for operating the shaft; substantially as described.

4. A gold washing and amalgamating machine comprising a tub, an upper tank located beneath the tub, an overflow-pipe extending from the tub to the upper tank, the tube secured to the bottom of the tank and extending upwardly therefrom, the lower tank located beneath the upper tank, the amalgamating device located within the lower tank and the filter supported beneath the lower tank; substantially as described.

5. A gold washing and amalgamating machine comprising a tub, an upper tank located beneath the tub, an overflow-pipe extending from the tub to the upper tank, the tube secured to the bottom of the tank and extending upwardly therefrom the lower tank located beneath the upper tank and forming an outer chamber, the central post secured to the bottom of the lower tank, extending upwardly therefrom and providedlwith a series of saucers of increasing diameter from the top to the bottom thereof, the inner chamber surrounding the central post having radial openings located at the bottom thereof, and the cylinder surrounding the wall of the inner chamber and provided with a series of saucers of increasing diameter from the bottom to the top thereof; substantially as described.

6. A gold washing and amalgamating machine comprising a tub, an upper tank located beneath the tub, an overflow-pipe extending from the tub to the upper tank, the tube secured to the bottom of the tank and extending upwardly therefrom, the lower tank located beneath the upper tank, the amalgamating device within the lower tank, the filter provided with an open-work top and bottom, a filling between the top and bottom, the hooks on the filter by which the bottom is removably held in position, the loops secured to the filter, and the rods engaging the loops and secured to the upper tank, whereby the filter is suspended beneath the lower tank; substantially as described.

7. A gold washing and amalgamatingmachine comprising an inclined agitatingtrough, the front and rear supporting-frames, each provided with a horizontal frame, the front and rear rings surrounding the trough in which the latter is mounted, the pulleys journaled to the rings and running on the horizontal frames, the vertical operating-shaft,

the eccentric secured to the shaft, the crossbar, the rod connecting the cross-bar with the eccentric, the agitating-bar through which the rod extends, the arms having elbows and catches and pivoted to the cross-bar, the bearing-bar on which the elbows of the arms ride for disengaging the catches, the jointed rods by which the front ring is connected with the agitating-bar, and means for producing the reverse movement of the trough; substantially as described.

8. A gold washing and amalgamating machine comprising a tub, a stirrer adapted to operate in the tub, a shaft for operating the stirrer, an eccentric on said shaft, a trough, a bearing-bar, an agitating-bar secured to the trough, a cross-bar connected with the eccentric, pivoted arms having catches thereon adapted to engage said agitatingbar, and also having elbows adapted to ride upon said bearing-bar to release the catches, and means for producing the reverse movement of the trough; substantially as described.

9. A gold washing and amalgamating machine comprising an inclined agitatingtrough, the front and rear rings surrounding the trough, the front and rear square frames located within the rings, the irons extending lengthwise of the trough within the square frames, the side clips,the rods passing through the trough by which the side clips are secured to the square frames, the bottom clips secured to the square frames, the pulleys journaled to the clips and running on the rings, and means for rocking the trough; substantially as described.

10. A gold washing and amalgamating machine comprising an inclined agitatingtrough, the front and rear rings surrounding the trough, the front and rear square frames located within the rings, the irons extending lengthwise of the trough within the square frames, means whereby the square frames are mounted within the rings, a vertical operating-shaft, the horizontal shaft having a crank and geared to the operating-shaft, the bracket secured to the irons, and the link pivoted to the crank at one end and pivoted to the bracket at the other end; substantially as described.

11. A gold washing and amalgamatin g machine comprising an inclined agitatingtrough having a transverse opening at the bottom, an amalgamated cup-shaped riffle located beneath the opening, the front and rear rings surrounding the trough, means whereby the trough is mounted within the rings, the deflecting-plate extending down into the riffle, means for rocking the trough, the rod secured to the rings, the arms loosely 1nounted on the rod and extending down into the riffle on opposite sides of the deflecting-plate, the. arm secured to the trough, the arm secured to the rod, and the cross-arm connecting the arms of the trough and the rod; substantially as described.

' WILLIAM NOTLEY. 

